11/10/08

You can't outsmart Sam!

by lbcristea

Apparently if you order the pizza by phone you can't eat it in the restaurant! Unbelieveable! We ordered our pizza by phone because we had guests in town and realized the restaurant could have quite a wait (not because it is packed but because it's not run efficiently, nor is it adequately staffed). When we arrived Sam told us that we had to take our pizza to go and order another pizza to stay because he doesn't do phone orders for sit down customers. "You can't outsmart me."

We decided to leave because he was being rude and I told him he could have been a little more flexible in his policy. He told me that being flexible is not the Brooklyn way. He also called me a "piece of garbage" in front of all the other customer. He yelled us out the door and told a homeless guy outside the door that he was going to shoot him.

If you don't want drama at dinnertime, avoid this place. Nonetheless, the pizza is very good.

12/30/07

AUTHENTIC OLD SCHOOL BROOKLYN ITALIAN PIZZA JOINT!

by iwantquality

Louie is the man.If he likes you he will talk to you and serve the best martinis in the world to you. Now if you are a pretentious yuppie that strolls in and expects louie to fawn over you because you just had your gallery opening forget it. He just might make you wait,

I saw some clueless hipster come in and asked if he had "cherry coke on tap" Wadda kidding me?...of course she left in a huff...ha ha.. this place is the best! Another one came in and "expected her pizzza pie within 15 min" ...louie of course dispatched her with "lady, a pizza takes a long time to cook and if you don't like it go somewhere else"

The food is like going back in a time machine to the pre yuppie brooklyn that doesnt exist anymore.

This is the real thing, genuine, down to earth, and brings me back,

You get great food, and if are a regular you really feel welcome,

I cant recommend this place enough, its brooklyn dodgers, , manhattan special, and stickball brooklyn rolled into this place.

• Pros: THE REAL THING FOLKS!! NO PLAY ACTING, REAL OLD SCHOOL PIZZA
• Cons: dont know?, leave your attitude at the door!

03/15/07

Best Pizza in Brooklyn

by jets12

I never really understand why Time Out NY, Zagat's and New York Magazine consistently fail to mention Sam's, especially in the "Best of" NYC Pizza articles, even though they seem to go out of their way to mention outer borough spots. While they are so busy focusing on "new" Italian and "gourmet" pizza spots opening up in re-named Brooklyn neighborhoods, they are missing one of the best pies in NYC. Mature dough, tasty sauce and creamy mozzarella charred in a classic pizza oven built by hand by the family in 1930. All varieties are delicious, and for a change order a garlic ricotta pie its to die for.

Also do yourself a favor try some real brooklyn "old" Italian for a change - the veal pizzaiola, chicken rollatine, chicken cacciatore and steak will taste like your Nonna's did and the decor just might bring you back to memories of her table in the basement kitchen on a sunday afternoon.

And of course, say to hi to Lou the waiter and his father Mario (who has been making pies for 59 years there) for some good neighborhood stories.

• Pros: Pizza, Italian-American meat dishes, the Family
• Cons: Not open late at night

03/10/06

Pizza and Martinis, anyone?

by jdecker

OK, i have lived in Chicago, New York, and traveled all over the world and Sam's, by far, has the best Pizza hands down. Even if it is in Brooklyn

So why is it the best?

Original old style smoked brick oven

Family owned 50 years

Heaped Fresh ingredients

Mature dough

Fresh Italian cheese & meat oil and preservatives in your pie

Also try their home made Italian cheese cake, it will make your jaws feel like they are going to melt.

Be sure to ask Sam's son to whip you up a couple of Martinis with your Pie. Talk about extravagant, he has been making them since he was a wee lad.

So, if you are looking for a quick slice or trendy atmosphere, go else where. However, if you want to, drink and enjoy the pleasures of food, Sam's is your new home away from home.

• Pros: food, owners, martinis
• Cons: brooklyn

07/07/04

Best Gnocci in NYC

by dbeeman33

I've had Gnocchi from the Bronx to Coney Island and this place is, hands down, the best. The potato gnocchi are like little moist pieces of velvet that melt in your mouth. No exaggeration. I've tried both the meat sauce and the veggie, and both are dee-lish. I have dreams about this gnocchi. Seriously! I'm seeing a therapist. Yes, the decor is what it is and all the better because some things just shouldn't change. The staff is helpful and funny and laid back and although they don't do home delivery, they do take call-in orders for pick up. This place is pure Brooklyn. I hope they never "update."

• Pros: Best Gnocchi in NYC, Cheap, Large Portions, Inexpensive Wine List

05/13/04

Sam's Restaurant

by mervrx

Walk downstairs and it is like stepping into a scene from the godfather. This place hasn't changed a bit in 50 years. tin ceilings and old phone booths along with the original booths combined with the best coal burning, brick oven pizza in the city. The chicken rollatine is to die for. The place ain't fancy but well worth the trip from any part of the city.

• Pros: great food, decor, friendly

02/08/04

Hidden Gem

by brooklyn66

When you're in the mood for classic red sauce Italian, this is a great place to go. We're not talking trendy, or chi chi, or at all pretentious.

The decor is 1940s rec room, with Rhinegold on tap and lots of wood paneling. The service is wise cracking Brooklyn at its most classic. A video should be made of these guys before the accent and attitude are forever lost to history.

Don't expect haut cuisine...just good value and a good time

• Pros: Food, Ambiance, Service

05/26/03

Great Neighborhood Place

by melissa

Sam's is a great basic Italian restaurant, with friendly service, huge portions, and really good food. I would highly recommend it!

• Pros: great food, good value

04/13/03

2 Hour Wait for a Pizza

by Maria_DeGaetano

When we arrived the only waiter in the place told us to sit in the back and it would be 15 minutes. Since we already had a table we didn't really understand what 15 minutes meant. We found out that this meant 15 minutes until he would come back. He came back in 15 and we ordered a drinks and 2 pizzas. The drinks came out 30 minutes later. After 1 1/2 hours one of the pizzas came out. After another 20 minutes the other came out. Strangely enough all the regulars that he was talking to got there meals in 1/2 hour. The guy was pleasant and friendly but that only goes so far when you are hungry and have to wait 2 hours for a pizza. My recommendation is only go there if you know someone in the family.

• Pros: Good Pizza
• Cons: Horrible Service

01/12/03

Brooklyn Eatery Epitomized

by IIII

This place was fantastic. Mario, the owner, was the only waitstaff on duty and was the best. The decor is bizarro grandparent basement; sometimes hilarious, sometimes thought provoking, sometimes spooky and puzzling. The minnestrone was so-so, but the pizza rivals Grimaldis or anywhere else. Great crust char, mild sauce, and spicey pepperoni. Plus, they are the only restaurant I have ever been in with Coke and Pepsi so both my girlfriend and I can be happy! Absolutely no slices, and if you want to use the can without a meal, better cough up the two bones.

• Pros: Amusing Decor, Great Pizza
• Cons: Frightening Quiet